Some parents in North Naples are upset after learning that a sex offender is living in their neighborhood of Victoria Park. Patrick Reagan Connell, 76, was recently placed on Florida's sex offender registry for a past charge of lewd and lascivious behavior.
Connell told Fox 4 that he is on the registry because of an unfounded accusation that his daughter made several years ago in an effort to try to get herself of some trouble with the law. But in order to avoid a trial, Connell said he made a plea deal is on probation, living in a condo in the Victoria Park neighborhood - which is half a mile away from Pelican Marsh Elementary School.
Word has been spreading among parents in Victoria Park through social media that Connell is on the registry.
"My concern is the little ones that walk this neighborhood every day," said Candace Glover, who has a child who attends Pelican Marsh.
Florida law says that sex offenders must live at least 1,000 feet from and park or school, but Glover thinks his condo is still too close.
"Because he is on the other side of the condos, he just skates by that way," she said.
Neighbor Elizabeth Humann said there are all kinds of reasons someone can be on the sex offender registry, and cautions against jumping to conclusions.
"While I understand people's concerns...I think this is someone who really hasn't caused any problems so far," Humann said.
Connell said that despite his charge of lewd and lascivious behavior, he poses no threat and just wants to lead a quiet life. He pointed out that there is a difference between a sex offender and a sex predator. He said he was about halfway through a 5-year probation period, and that so far he's met all of the requirements for it.
Still, some parents are nervous.
"He does need to move," said Chanel Josephson. "Or still be able to own (his condo) and rent it out, but not live in this neighborhood."
